STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR GENERAL MALAYSIAN SPACE AGENCY (MYSA) TO THE 58TH SESSION OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE (STSC COPOUS), VIENNA, 19-30 APRIL 2021 AGENDA ITEM 3: GENERAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND INTRODUCTION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED ON NATIONAL ACTIVITIES Madam Chair, At the outset, my delegation would like to express appreciation to you for your leadership and commitment, and the Secretariat for the excellent preparations made for this session, especially during these unprecedented times. I wish to assure you of our support and cooperation in ensuring the successful outcome of this session. 2. Malaysia associates itself with the statement of the Group of 77 and China delivered by Costa Rica and would like to make the following remarks in its national capacity. Madam Chair, 1 3. Malaysia recognizes the significance of outer space and the need to protect it in the common interest of all mankind. Malaysia fully recognizes that space science and technology and their application play a significant role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are hopeful that our exchange of views today could pave the way towards enhancing and raising awareness of the benefits of space activities and tools for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, Malaysia recognizes the important work of COPOUS and its subcommittees to achieve these goals. 4. Malaysia welcomes the adoption of the Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) guidelines at the 62nd session of COPUOS and the establishment of the new Working Group on LTS. We believe that the Working Group should work immediately in the implementation of the guidelines to promote the long-term sustainability of outer space for peaceful purposes including strengthening capacity building efforts to bridge the technological space divide between the developing and developed countries. Madam Chair, 5. As a display of our commitment, we have submitted the annual report on national space activities. In this regard, it is with great pleasure that I share an overview of Malaysia’s space activities. 2 6. To coordinate our national space activities in an organised and effective manner, Malaysia has established the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) with a mission to develop the capabilities of the country's space sector to contribute the economic growth, knowledge development, sustainable development, national sovereignty and the wellbeing of the people. 7. Malaysia is positively looking forward to its national space legislation to regulate space activities in Malaysia, in line with Thrust One of the National Space Policy 2030, and GA Resolution 68/74 on Recommendations on National Legislation Relevant to the Peaceful Exploration and Use of Outer Space. Despite the disruption of COVID- 19 outbreak in Malaysia, the legislation effort is still progressing. This Bill will enable Malaysia to meet the international obligations and allow for Malaysia to ratify or accede to the space-related international instruments. 8. In line with strategic thrusts of the National Space Policy, Malaysia has developed a Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 Blueprint (Malaysia Space-X 2030), to create a comprehensive national space ecosystem. Among the key initiatives under this Blueprint are: (i) Development of home-grown satellites under the National Remote Sensing Satellite Programme; 3 (ii) Strengthening the Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) Facility in MYSA as a regional hub for measurement and testing services for both space and commercial industries; (iii) Enhancement of national research infrastructure for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal monitoring and testing; (iv) Creating platforms for local firms and industries participation in the global space industry value chain; and finally (v) Promoting international partnerships to develop space science and technology with a vision of sending an unmanned space probe and contribute to the growth of the space economy in Malaysia. Madam Chair, 9. To improve public service delivery and empowerment through the increased use of space technology, Malaysia has developed centralized, comprehensive and integrated space based remote sensing and geospatial application systems and databases, known as Multi-sector Remote Sensing Application Systems (GovRS- Apps). These systems contain geospatial information in various sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, natural and environmental resources, disasters, security and national sovereignty. 4 10. From October 4th to 10th 2020, Malaysia has celebrated World Space Week 2020 with various events led by the National Planetarium, under the theme of “Satellites Improve Life”, with involvement from local space professionals including Malaysia’s first astronaut, Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha and Malaysia's first astrophysicist also former Director of UNOOSA, Professor Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr. Mazlan Othman. 11. To strengthen research and innovation capabilities for the advancement of the national space sector, Malaysia has implemented several collaborative activities with the academic community such as microgravity science research on the International Space Station (ISS), parabolic flight program for microgravity research, and space systems engineering. Madam Chair, 12. Malaysia remains convinced that international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space is the way forward for the good of mankind and our world. We are honoured and pleased to inform that Malaysia is actively involved and participated in many regional space initiatives and program which are the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), the National Space Legal Initiative (NSLI) and the ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Application (SCOSA). 13. In conclusion, Malaysia has a significant interest in the future security and safety of space assets, which contributes to Malaysia’s 5 security, economic well-being and prosperity. Malaysia is also exploring and welcome further cooperation with other States on space programs both in the bilateral and multilateral framework. 14. In this regard, Malaysia is committed to collaborate with all the Member States of COPOUS, including working closely with the Working Group on the “Space2030” Agenda in consolidating the final draft of the Agenda, and the new Working Group on Long-Term Sustainability. Thank you, Madam Chair. 6 .